Government

By: chs1Michaela

There were three different types of government in ancient Greece. They were monarchy, which was when one person ruled; there was oligarchy, which was when the city- state was ruled by a few people; and there was democracy. when the people of the city- state voted for laws and rulers. Over 2400 years ago, the famous Greek Pericles said "It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of many and not the few, with equal justice to all alike in their private disputes."

Every year in Athens, 500 names were drawn of the people who lived in Athens. each of the 500 whose names were picked had to serve for one full year as a lawmaker in Athens. All men born in Athens were required to vote for laws. Men that were not born in Athens, women, children, and slaves were not able to vote.

Athens was the first to have a democracy. Sparta was ruled by two kings, each from royal families and received help from a council of wise men.

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